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Any fluid system that has fast-acting closures can result in severe pressure surge which can cause substantial damage to equipment. Applied Flow Technology’s analysis and simulation software, AFT Impulse, is a tool engineers can easily use to model, simulate, and analyse these conditions. In one case, David Lozano, hydraulic engineer from Aquatec (Suez Group) was tasked with performing a... hydraulic analysis of a pumping station in Barcelona’s water network, which is managed and owned by Aigües de Barcelona, one of the main water operators in Spain which serves 3.2 million people in twenty-three municipalities. [read more]

Magma Global produces the m-pipe, a monolithic carbon fibre and PEEK polymer pipe, at its UK facility using a laser 3D-printing process. The company says it is tougher, lighter, easier to install and cheaper than the steel equivalent. One day, all pipes will look like this says Charles Tavner, COO at Magma. “It’s designed as a subsea oil and gas pipe and it has three basic attributes:... it’s about a tenth of the weight of the equivalent steel, because of the materials we use it doesn’t corrode, it’s flexible and has a very, very high fatigue capacity. [read more]

The challenging conditions faced in the current oil and gas market have led to a greater focus on cost-effective, sustainable operations. Operators are faced with the extremely tough decision of whether to extend or end offshore production asset life. This has brought pre-decommissioning planning into emergence as a key challenge for the industry. Mitigating uncertainty, enabling decision making... and justification as to whether to end or extend asset life, as well as detailed knowledge of asset conditions are crucial. Here, it is explained how diagnostics services can be used to provide this detailed knowledge throughout late life operations. [read more]

As the Flow Measurement Institute merges into the Institute of Measurement Control, TUV SUD NEL’s managing director Brian Millington talks about the Institute and the future of the flow measurement industry. When the FMI was founded in 2004, its goals were to facilitate collaboration within the flow measurement industry, boost technological advancements and economic growth and promote best... practices. These targets haven’t changed with the Institute’s move to a new organisational setting. In fact, the only thing that’s altered is the institutional weight that the FMI now has behind it. This will significantly enhance the opportunities the Institute has to foster collaboration and so achieve its aims. [read more]

Pumping system operators seeking durable, low-maintenance, easy-torun equipment for fluid management often look to air-operated diaphragm (AOD) pumps. These pumps can move fluids of low or high viscosity, and are ideal for use with wastewater, abrasives, caustic materials or slurries. They are also rugged, can tolerate aggressive conditions and, if maintained properly, last for many years.... However, a clean, dry air supply can increase their performance and durability benefits. Particulates often creep into the pumping air supply through moist, oily, or dirty environments, corroded pipes with scale, or due to extreme temperatures. For example, pumping equipment may need to operate on a dusty oil rig, in a low-temperature food processing plant, or in an industrial setting contaminated with dirt, oil or sludge. Selecting the right pump and accessories for the application as well as conducting regular maintenance will help mitigate the obstacles of dirty, moist and oily air for top pump performance, cost efficiency and reliable operation. [read more]

LTi was formed out of a Siemens business in 2005 and has since built-up the fabrication side of the business, investing significantly in automated welding and advanced metal forming technology, as well as complimentary destructive and non-destructive testing capabilities. For the last four years it’s been actively looking for a wider range of customers to augment its work with Siemens... – who is currently its single largest customer for cryogenic work in its MRI machines. Fluid Handling International spoke to LTi Metaltech technical director Edgar Rayner and business development manager Gary Chamberlain about diversifying its client base and developing a culture that breeds proactivity. [read more]